Hand-Painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Panteleimon

Hand-painted Orthodox Icon of Saint Panteleimon presents the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, one of the most beloved saints invoked by Orthodox Christians in prayer for the sick. The image is painted by hand in the Mstyora tradition and is intended for prayer, consolation, and long-term use in a home icon corner, church, chapel, or hospital prayer space.

Saint Panteleimon is remembered as a physician who gave his skill and compassion to the suffering, and as a martyr who confessed Christ with courage. His icon is often kept in homes where people pray for strength during illness, for children, for elderly family members, and for doctors and medical workers who serve the sick.

Life and Spiritual Meaning of Saint Panteleimon

The Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was born in Nicomedia in the third century. At birth he was named Pantoleon, a name associated with strength and courage. His mother, Saint Eubula, was a Christian and desired to raise him in the faith, but she died while he was still young. His father sent him to study medicine under the well-known physician Euphrosynos, and the young man soon became known for his talent.

A decisive change came through his meeting with the priest Hermolaus, who taught him about the Christian faith. According to the life of the saint, Pantoleon’s conversion was confirmed after a miracle: he prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ over a child who had died after a snakebite, and the child was restored to life. After this, he received baptism with the name Panteleimon, meaning “all-merciful.”

Saint Panteleimon then became known as an unmercenary healer, serving the sick, the poor, and prisoners without payment. He healed not merely through medical knowledge, but by calling on the name of Christ. When he was denounced as a Christian, he confessed his faith before the emperor and endured martyrdom in 305.

Iconographic Features

In Orthodox iconography, Saint Panteleimon is usually shown as a young man in noble garments, reflecting his upbringing and education. His face is calm, compassionate, and attentive, showing readiness to help those who come to him in prayer. The gilded halo marks his holiness, while the gold leaf and decorative details emphasize the sacred character of the image.

The saint is often shown with a cross, a sign of his confession of Christ and martyrdom, or with a small medicine box, spoon, or vessel, referring to his service as a physician. The red and green tones of the garments are traditional: red can point to martyrdom and sacrificial love, while green is often associated with life, hope, and healing.

This icon is painted with careful Mstyora detail. The face, garments, halo, gold, and ornamental elements are worked by hand, so the image has the living depth of a painted icon rather than the flatness of a printed reproduction.

Prayer Before Saint Panteleimon

Orthodox Christians pray before Saint Panteleimon for the sick, for children, for relatives undergoing treatment, for people preparing for surgery or recovery, and for those who are exhausted by long illness. Doctors, nurses, and other medical workers also ask his intercession for wisdom, compassion, steadiness, and strength in their service.

It is important to say this carefully: prayer before the icon is not a replacement for medical care and does not promise an automatic result. In Orthodox life, such prayer is a humble request to God, offered through the intercession of Saint Panteleimon, for mercy, healing according to God’s will, patience, and spiritual strength.

The icon is also meaningful for those suffering from anxiety, discouragement, or fear during illness. It reminds the family that suffering should not be faced alone, and that prayer, care, and hope remain part of Christian life even in difficult circumstances.

Who This Icon Is For

The icon is especially appropriate for people named Panteleimon, for the sick and their families, for doctors, nurses, medical students, and anyone whose life is connected with healing and care. It can be given for baptism, name day, birthday, recovery, a hospital chapel, a medical office prayer corner, a home icon corner, or a parish church.

For parents, the icon can become a prayerful image for the health and protection of children. For families caring for an elderly or chronically ill person, it can be a quiet source of consolation and a reminder to unite practical care with prayer.

Materials and Mstyora Technique

The icon is made on a linden board with a kovcheg and splines for stability. Linen cloth is applied to the front, followed by chalk gesso, which prepares the surface for painting. The image is painted in egg tempera with mineral pigments, giving the colors depth and durability.

Gold leaf of 23K quality (960 purity) is used for the halo and decorative elements. Cold enamel details and protective varnish may be used according to the design. The result is a hand-painted icon with a sacred and dignified appearance, suitable for both home and church use.

Possible decorative options include a classic rectangular format, arched fields, relief ornament on the halo, additional gilding of the background, and a glazed wooden kiot for protection. Each icon is painted individually, with details agreed before the work begins.

Available Sizes and Placement

Available sizes: 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). The smaller formats are suitable for a personal prayer place or a compact home icon corner. The 27×31 cm and 30×40 cm sizes give more room for the face, garments, gold, and decorative details.

Custom church and iconostasis sizes can be discussed before painting. At home, the icon may be placed in the main icon corner, near icons of Christ, the Mother of God, Saint Nicholas, the Guardian Angel, and the patron saints of the family.

Care and Preservation

A hand-painted icon should be protected from direct sunlight, heat sources, high humidity, and sudden temperature changes. Do not wipe the painted or gilded surface with water, alcohol, household cleaners, or rough cloths.

Dust should be removed only with a soft, completely dry cloth or brush, without pressure. A glazed wooden kiot is recommended, especially if the icon is placed in a room where candles or lamps are often used. With proper care, the icon can remain beautiful and prayerfully usable for many years.

Blessing, Shipping, and Ordering

The icon can be blessed in an Orthodox church before shipping. Free international shipping is included. Payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Production time depends on size, gilding, ornament, and the chosen finish. Before painting begins, the size, inscription, kiot, decorative details, and any personal dedication can be discussed.

Questions and Answers

For whom is the icon of Saint Panteleimon especially suitable?

It is especially suitable for the sick, doctors, nurses, medical workers, children and their parents, and people seeking prayerful consolation during illness.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before Saint Panteleimon icon?

They pray for mercy, strength, consolation, healing according to God will, support during treatment, and help for those who care for the sick.

What sizes are available for this icon?

Available sizes are 17×21 cm, 20×24 cm, 27×31 cm, and 30×40 cm. Custom church or iconostasis sizes can also be discussed before painting.

When is the feast day of Saint Panteleimon?

The memory of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is celebrated on August 9 according to the civil calendar.

Can a personal inscription be added?

Yes. A dedication, name, baptism date, or important family occasion can be discussed for the back of the icon before painting.

How long does it take to paint the icon?

The time depends on size and decorative complexity. A hand-painted icon requires board preparation, gesso, gilding, tempera painting, detail work, and final protection.

Is a kiot recommended for a home icon?

Yes. A glazed wooden kiot helps protect the painted and gilded surface from dust, soot, humidity, and accidental damage.

Can this icon be given to someone who is not baptized?

It can be given as a respectful sign of care and prayerful goodwill, while the icon itself should always be treated as a holy Orthodox image.

How should a hand-painted icon be cared for?

Keep it away from water, direct sunlight, heat, and household chemicals. Dust should be removed with a soft dry cloth or brush.

Can the icon be blessed before shipping?

Yes. The icon can be blessed in an Orthodox church before shipping. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.